STUART MCCALL labelled his side's performance rotten as Inverness cruised to victory at Fir Park, leaping to the top of the Premiership table.

MOTHERWELL were the second best team in Scotland last season but had to play second fiddle to Inverness yesterday.

And now Caley Thistle have set their sights on toppling the Steelmen this term.

This was as comprehensive a victory as you’re likely to see in the Scottish Premiership.

John Hughes’ side cruised to a 2-0 win courtesy of Greg Tansey and Aaron Doran goals.

Motherwell were mediocre at best and never laid a glove on the Highlanders at Fir Park.

Inverness have now taken seven points out of nine in their opening three league games, without conceding a goal.

Hughes was delighted with his team’s display and says if they finish above Stuart McCall’s men come May they’ll have enjoyed a fruitful campaign.

And he also tipped Caley skipper Graeme Shinnie for a Scotland call-up after yet another polished display in front of national team boss Gordon Strachan who watched yesterday’s action.

Hughes said: “We were slick out there. Our ball retention was good and we had total domination in the first half.

“The only negative was we didn’t score earlier. It took us until the last minute to get the second goal – but we are happy.

“It was pleasing on the eye and we kept another clean-sheet.

“Motherwell will still be there or thereabouts this season. If we finish above them, we’ll do well.

“I know Strachan was in the stand and I mentioned Shinnie last year. It was evident again that he is a really good footballer.”

Irish winger Doran came off the bench to seal the points and he believes Yogi’s boys can better their fifth-place Premiership finish – and League Cup Final appearance – from last season.

Doran said: “The team are playing as well as we ever have. We are bringing what the manager wants us to do on to the pitch.

“We’ve been making history for the last two or three years but I think we can achieve more than we have ever done.

“Hopefully we can go even further and try to get a higher place finish in the league and go on a few cup runs. We’re playing really nice stuff and it’s good to be sitting on top of the league.”

The first half at Fir Park yesterday was almost a carbon copy of last weekend’s action when Well entertained St Mirren .

The difference this time was the Highlanders – unlike shot-shy Saints – actually made their domination count against Well by scoring before half time.

Hughes’ side ran the game in the opening 45 minutes and should have led by more.

They were solid at the back, quick and creative in midfield and mobile in attack.

In contrast, Well looked a shadow of their former selves.

That’s why McCall, despite being at home, lined up in a 4-5-1 formation, with just John Sutton up front.

The Steelmen gaffer was well aware that Inverness would have most possession and, with a lack of quality in his own ranks, he had to try and combat against it.

But Caley pulled the Steelmen all over the place at times.

Both Well full-backs, Craig Reid and young David Ferguson, didn’t know whether to stick with Marley Watkins and Danny Williams when they darted in-field or just let them roam – and that caused all sorts of problems. Motherwell’s only attempt on goal came early and it was an ambitious effort from Lionel Ainsworth after Shinnie had been short with a pass-back to keeper Dean Brill.

The winger’s 25-yard chip was net-bound until defender Gary Warren got back to head the ball off the line.

From then on, Inverness were well on top. Tansey forced a save from Dan Twardzik and from the resultant David Raven cross Billy McKay stabbed an effort just wide.

SNS Group/Alan Harvey

Ryan Christie chases down John Sutton (right).

Then when a Watkins piledriver was parried by the Czech stopper, Charlie Christie looked certain to score but Ferguson got back to make a terrific last-ditch block.

The away goal was coming, though, and Tansey provided it on 43 minutes.

He collected a loose ball in midfield, strode forward then unleashed a thunderbolt from outside the box that flew past Twardzik into the net.

Returning hero Henrik Ojamaa was introduced at the break in place of Ainsworth and Well did improve in the second half.

But not enough to trouble the visitors who made it 2-0 in the last minute through sub Doran.

He curled a magnificent effort past Twardzik from 20 yards to take a thoroughly deserved win back up to the Highlands.